About Our Lab
About Our Lab
Sal Caradonna, Ph.D.
My training and experience are in the areas of biochemistry, molecular and cell biology. I have had an NIH-funded track record of research in the area of base-excision repair associated with understanding the effects of uracil mis-incorporation into DNA.
Recently, my laboratory has moved in a new research direction. We have acquired the skills and expertise to utilize an ex-vivo airway model system that involves obtaining progenitor cells from nasal turbinates of volunteer subjects. The progenitor cells are grown and differentiated using an air-liquid interface culture system. Utilizing this model system, my lab is pursuing three different research projects:
- The first is based on a finding, corroborated by Dr. Vincent Manna in our laboratory, that vitamin D effects the differentiation pathway of airway progenitor cells. Using our model system, we have evidence that vitamin D alters the asymmetry division characteristics of progenitor cells.
- The second project deals with the receptor for the SARS-CoV-2 virus, ACE2. We have identified three isoforms of ACE2 that are expressed in developing progenitor airway cells.
- The third project directs efforts at elucidating the effects of electronic nicotine delivery system additives on the development of progenitor airway cells.
Vincent Manna, Ph.D.
I received my Ph.D. from Rowan University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences under the mentorship of Salvatore Caradonna. The time spent with Dr. Salvatore Caradonna earning my Ph.D. was exciting and transformative. With his guidance and support I developed and optimized protocols for the isolation, expansion, differentiation, and histological processing of human nasal epithelial cells. One project goal was to develop an assay that utilizes in-vitro generated human airway mucociliary tissue to investigate mechanisms of e-cigarette toxicity and model consequences of chronic respiratory inflammation. To achieve this goal, I invented a small 3D-printed research device that can use commercial e-cigarettes and deliver the vapor to a chamber designed to hold our in-vitro generated airway tissue. Together, the airway model system and research device are the foundation of an exciting area of research in the laboratory.
We also have a research project focused on the vitamin D receptor and vitamin D, and how together these play a significant role in the differentiation pathways of respiratory stem cells. Another project we have in the lab is based on angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), the respiratory receptor that SARS-Cov-2 utilizes to gain cell entry. We are interested in using our model system to investigate molecular pathways which modulate the balance of membrane-bound, soluble, and exosome-associated ACE2, and how the mucosal concentrations of these proteins affect susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Current Lab Staff
Salvatore Caradonna, Ph.D.
Vincent Manna, Ph.D.
Kevin Kemper, M.S.
Shannon Dwyer